The skin on your foreskin is so tight that you can’t retract it or pull it back. It can happen to babies and young boys who haven’t been circumcised. It usually goes away on its own after age 3.
There are two kinds that exist: physiological and pathological. Pathological phimosis requires treatment. It is not treatment-able.
Signs and symptoms
The phimosis affects foreskin covering the penis’s head. It can cause swelling or pain when you urinate. It can also lead to urinary tract infections in adults and disrupt healthy erections.
Most children develop phimosis during natural development. It usually goes away by 7 to 8 years of age, but it can take longer for some boys.
There are two types of phimosis: pathologic phimosis and physiologic Phimosis. The physiologic type of phimosis is seen in males who are uncircumcised and is caused by the separation of the prepuce from the foreskin or penis as time passes.
In a condition known as pathologic phimosis, the foreskin is unable to separate from the prepuce. This occurs due to scarring or inflammation. It is more common among older boys. It can be a sign that a boy has balanitis, eczema or another skin condition like psoriasis, lichenplanus or psorias.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of phimosis is determined by an exhaustive physical exam and medical history. If the doctor suspects an infection, they’ll take a swab of the foreskin and may also order blood tests and urine tests to look for bacteria.
The symptoms of phimosis are typically mild in children and resolve themselves by the time they reach the age of a few years. However, if the foreskin becomes retracted and the head of the penis is unable to move (paraphimosis) it could be painful and cause problems.
Pathologic phimosis is a rare condition, but can happen in some babies or adults who have skin conditions that affect the foreskin and/or the glans. These include psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus and lichen sclerosis.
The condition is more frequent among men who aren’t circumcised, and typically resolves itself with daily gentle manual retractions. Smegma is a group of skin cells that help to keep the foreskin separate from the head of the penis when retraction is being performed.
Treatment
There are many treatment options for phimosis. Topical steroid creams or circumcision (which involves removing the skin from the foreskin) are two options.
In a majority of cases, phimosis in children can be resolved on its own when their foreskin gets loose and can be pulled back. However, if a child has phimosis that isn’t clearing up, or if they experience other issues with urination or hygiene, they should see an expert.
The doctor will examine your son to determine the source of phimosis and then prescribe the right treatment. For instance, if the cause of phimosis is bacterial infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal ointments.
In some older boys and men, phimosis will not clear up by itself, and corrective surgery (circumcision) is needed. Circumcision also decreases the risk of phimosis returning in the future. It is crucial to keep the surgical site clean and dry.
Prevention
The best way to prevent phimosis is to maintain a healthy hygiene, which includes keeping the skin beneath the foreskin clean and free from infection. Gently washing the foreskin and penis using warm water on a regular basis can help prevent problems.
Topical creams for steroid use, like hydrocortisone ointment from 1% to 2,5%, can be used to safely treat physicologic the phimosis. The treatment usually lasts between about 3-6 weeks.
If the problem persists, a surgical procedure called circumcision may be needed. The procedure could be a partial or full procedure, or a combination of both.
Circumcision is typically performed on children, but it can also be recommended for older males or men who have a phimosis that isn’t improving. It is usually a last-resort and could lead to serious complications. Therefore, it’s important to consider the risks associated with this procedure before deciding to have it. Before making a decision it’s best to speak with your doctor about the advantages and disadvantages of circumcision. It is essential to be screened for phimosis every year, regardless of age.